Hungary: NGOs write to political party

A big question of civil society is how to relate to public actors in general and politicians in particular. While some think that co-operation with politicians automatically results in the loss of independence, others believe that the readiness to co-operate might contribute to the common goal: the betterment of society. 388 Hungarian NGOs certainly had in mind the latter thought when they addressed an open letter to political parties in Hungary.

In January 2006 Hungarian NGOs turned to political parties to urge them to share their plans connected to civil society issues after the general elections in April. The initiative was started by a representative ad hoc NGO working group and joined by 388 NGOs in total who signed a common letter asking political parties about: possible forms of civil-government co-operation; a compact agreement between civil society organisations and the Hungarian government; future plans of the National Civil Fund (established in 2004 the NCF is the single biggest fund in Hungary available for NGOs with an annual 28 million euros, see more on the NCF separately).

A positive result of the initiative was that all four political parties with parliamentary representation (Hungarian Socialist Party – left, Alliance of Free Democrats – liberal, Alliance of Young Democrats – conservative, Hungarian Democratic Forum – conservative) reacted. In general terms they all emphasised that civil society has an indispensable role in democracy and their readiness for co-operation. They also think that the setting up of a national civil society representation would serve the interest of NGOs but quickly – and rightly – added that such representation can only be achieved from within civil society actors.

Leading the government coalition the Hungarian Socialist Party (HSP) is of the view that the simplification of administrative and fiscal procedures should be implemented for NGOs with an income less than 4,000 euros annually. They think that the sources of the National Civil Fund have to be widened as the current sum guaranteed in the national budget will decrease parallel to the easing personal income tax.

The biggest opposition party, the conservative Alliance of Young Democrats (AYD) criticised the bureaucratism of the National Civil Fund. Their opinion is shared by the other opposition party, the Hungarian Democratic Forum (HDF). The HDF would be in favour of the introduction of an upper chamber in the Hungarian Parliament which is not only bound to a 2/3 majority in the Parliament but meets fierce opposition from the coalition-partner, the liberal Alliance of Free Democrats (AFD) who are convinced that the direct representation of NGOs has no place in the Parliament.

Parties all agree that the notion of giving and social responsibility should be higher on the political agenda and certain positive measures could give encouragement.

Hungarians voted in favour of the current socialist-liberal government (with HSP and AFD in coalition) at the general elections held on 9 April (first round) and 23 April (second round) and their coalition will have a comfortable majority with 210 seats out of the 386.

Hungarian NGOs today wait and see if concrete steps are taken to achieve the concrete promises of political parties especially of those in government..

Internet: Open letter of Hungarian NGOs (only in Hungarian):
www.nyiltlevel.hu